Counseling in College

It’s true that going to counseling is something that many students are ashamed to do because of what others will think of them. It’s also true that being low-income and first-generation on a college campus is hard to do and often does require some addition help. You shouldn’t have to be ashamed to receive that help.

On the University of Dayton’s campus, the Counseling Center has changed my entire life. With the difficulty of the first couple months, I was encouraged to attend counseling and I can consider that one of the greatest things I did the entire first year. I didn’t go for the longest time because I was concerned that those around me would think that I was weak or crazy for having to talk to people about my problems. I was scared that those around me would leave me and think I was too much to handle. However, I knew that in order for me to improve and reach those academic goals I wanted to reach, I had to go.

Incoming freshman may feel like counseling is scary and hard to do. There’s a ton of truth in that statement, but it’s also true that counseling has the ability to make those dreams a reality. I wish that the second I came on campus I went to counseling because even the connections with other students in my scholarship program that I made over talking about counseling has helped me to grow. It’s okay to have to ask for help and it’s okay to have to talk to someone outside of your situation.

Being first-generation and low-income can lead to a dropout rate much higher than the average student. If there’s someway you can ask for help through counseling and eliminate your risk of dropping out, DO IT.